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Explore Languedoc: Chateau Rigaud is nothing ordinaire

by Chris Sherman (B-21) under Miscellaneous

Languedoc and Roussillon deserve more respect and exploration.  We’ve slowly acknowledged that among all the vin de pays that Minervois and Corbieres are distinct appellations with rather noble red/black wines of their own.

Here’s another, Faugeres, which is closer to the Rhone than the Bordeaux sphere of influence. The terroir is schist-y and rugged, the grapes Rhonish and the winemakers as proud and clever as any.

You can taste that in what happens to the Syrah and Grenache at Ch. Rigaud in Faugeres, with the advice of Claude Gros.  The 2007 is deep in flavor and rich in texture, quite elegant  in structure, more like a Left Bank Bordeaux than a CdR.  The aroma is earthy and floral, the tastes to me are deep plum, raspberry and hints of black raspberry. This is black-tie syrah, proper enough for a banquet featuring a steamship round of beef with truffle jus, lively enough to take a spin on the dancefloor afterwards.

Doubt me if you wish but it gets at least a 91 from the two Roberts (Sprentall and Parker).  At $11.99, I’d stick a couple in the cellar. Might be the first Languedoc in such fine company. Won’t be the last.

- Chris Sherman, The Blogging Nibbler

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